Information Studies is the interdisciplinary study of the role of information in modern society. This minor is intended to compliment any major program, as students will become "power searchers" and will be able to discuss timely issues about the creation, use, ethics, and public policy of information.
Rationale
This minor, organized and administered by the University Libraries, is intended to cultivate learners who have an interest in the interdisciplinary study of the role of information in modern society. This minor is intended to complement any major. In this minor, we will discuss libraries, the Internet, and how people get information. We will discuss concepts such as net neutrality, information as a human right, propaganda, and censorship. We will talk about people like Gutenberg, Edward Snowden, and Aaron Swartz. We will discuss what it means to create information, and the protections the creator has in copyright and other types of licensing. There will be courses to look for specialized types of libraries or information needs, such as medical information, scientific information, or information in archives or for children/young adults.
Objectives of the Information Studies Minor
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
A. demonstrate appropriate advanced information-seeking methods with the ability to utilize specific resources to accomplish advanced information-seeking tasks;
B. discuss the complications of such controversial topics as propaganda, privacy, censorship, intellectual property, and others, and be able to take an informed stand for public policy purposes;
C. critically discern authority, credibility, and bias among information creators;
D. utilize skills attained within this program in professions (i.e., librarianship or information sciences) or advanced degrees that require critical thinking in information; and
E. create and/or contribute new knowledge as part of the information society.
